Spotlight on social grants

Special GroundUp series on social grants

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Most social grant fraud involves officials, not beneficiaries, report says

The Institute for Economic Justice says 75% of reported fraud cases have involved government employees, contractors or officials

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News | 12 March 2026

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Lesotho pensioner’s epic journey to renew her social grant

Macharles Mahlekele, 86, spent a night in a stuck taxi and two days sheltering with strangers after a flooded river blocked her route home

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News | 12 March 2026

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Activists criticise social grant “savings”

The Universal Basic Income Coalition says tighter controls risk excluding eligible beneficiaries

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News | 6 March 2026

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Budget 2026: Social grants to go up in April

Increases are slightly more than inflation

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News | 25 February 2026

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SASSA crackdown overwhelms KZN offices

People have to return several times to apply for grants or complete reviews

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Brief | 11 February 2026

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SASSA suspends 70,000 grant payments in crackdown

Close to 400,000 beneficiaries notified their social grants are under review as oversight tightens

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News | 5 February 2026

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Basic income grant policy will take another year at least

Revised policy will be sent to Cabinet in March 2027

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News | 5 February 2026

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State is blocking access to SASSA grants, argue activists

The Institute for Economic Justice (IEJ) and the #PayTheGrants campaign want the Supreme Court of Appeal to dismiss government’s appeal

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News | 28 January 2026

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SRD grant increase is “simply unaffordable” says Treasury

Government appeals ruling that R370 grant regulations are unconstitutional and unlawful

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News | 26 January 2026